Va Claim Calculator

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VA Combined Disability Rating Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your combined VA disability rating based on multiple individual ratings. The Department of Veterans Affairs uses a specific "VA Math" system to combine ratings, which is not a simple sum. This tool helps you understand that calculation.

Enter Individual Disability Ratings (%)

Enter whole numbers (0-100). Leave fields blank if not applicable.

Understanding VA Combined Disability Ratings

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a unique system to combine multiple individual disability ratings into a single overall rating. This system, often referred to as "VA Math," is not a simple addition of percentages. Instead, it's designed to reflect the overall reduction in a veteran's earning capacity due to service-connected conditions.

How VA Math Works

The VA's combined rating system starts with the premise that a veteran is 100% efficient. Each disability rating reduces this efficiency. When combining multiple ratings, the VA applies the next highest rating to the *remaining* efficiency, not to the original 100%.

Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:

  1. Order Ratings: All individual disability ratings are sorted from highest to lowest.
  2. Start with Highest: The highest rating is taken first.
  3. Calculate Remaining Efficiency: The VA determines how much "efficiency" (out of 100%) remains after accounting for the first disability. For example, if the first rating is 60%, 40% efficiency remains (100% – 60%).
  4. Apply Next Rating: The next highest disability rating is then applied to this *remaining* efficiency. If the next rating is 30%, it's 30% of the remaining 40%, which equals 12%.
  5. Add to Combined Rating: This calculated amount (12% in the example) is added to the current combined rating (60% + 12% = 72%).
  6. Recalculate Remaining Efficiency: The process repeats, with the new combined rating determining the new remaining efficiency (100% – 72% = 28%).
  7. Round to Nearest 10: After all ratings are combined, the final unrounded percentage is rounded to the nearest 10%. For example, 77% rounds to 80%, while 74% rounds to 70%.

Example of VA Math

Let's say a veteran has three service-connected disabilities with ratings of 60%, 30%, and 20%.

  • Step 1: Sort Ratings: 60%, 30%, 20%
  • Step 2: Start with 60%: Current combined rating = 60%. Remaining efficiency = 100% – 60% = 40%.
  • Step 3: Combine with 30%: 30% of 40% = 12%. New combined rating = 60% + 12% = 72%. Remaining efficiency = 100% – 72% = 28%.
  • Step 4: Combine with 20%: 20% of 28% = 5.6%. New combined rating = 72% + 5.6% = 77.6%.
  • Step 5: Round: 77.6% rounds up to 80%.

As you can see, simply adding the ratings (60+30+20 = 110%) would be incorrect. The VA's system results in an 80% combined rating in this example.

Important Considerations

  • Not a Guarantee: This calculator provides an estimate based on the VA's published rating schedule. Your actual VA rating is determined by the VA after a thorough review of your medical evidence and service records.
  • Bilateral Factor: This calculator does not account for the "bilateral factor," which can slightly increase the combined rating if a veteran has disabilities affecting both sides of the body (e.g., both knees, both ears).
  • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Combined ratings can also impact eligibility for Special Monthly Compensation, which provides additional benefits for certain severe disabilities or combinations of disabilities.
  • Effective Dates: The effective date of your disability rating is crucial for determining when benefits begin.

Always consult with a VA accredited representative, VSO (Veteran Service Organization), or attorney for personalized advice regarding your VA disability claim.

function calculateVAClaim() { var ratings = []; for (var i = 1; i = 0 && rating <= 100) { ratings.push(rating); } } var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); if (ratings.length === 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter at least one valid disability rating (0-100%)."; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3cd"; // Warning color resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#ffeeba"; resultDiv.style.color = "#856404"; return; } // Sort ratings in descending order ratings.sort(function(a, b) { return b – a; }); var combinedRating = 0; var efficiencyRemaining = 100; // Start with 100% efficiency for (var j = 0; j 100) { roundedCombinedRating = 100; } resultDiv.innerHTML = "

Your Estimated Combined VA Disability Rating:

"; resultDiv.innerHTML += "" + roundedCombinedRating + "%"; resultDiv.innerHTML += "(Unrounded combined rating: " + combinedRating.toFixed(2) + "%)"; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#e9f7ef"; // Success color resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#c3e6cb"; resultDiv.style.color = "#155724"; }

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